After work behind the boards both for himself and as a purveyor of tracks for Strange Music artists Kutt Calhoun and Stevie Stone, Kansas City product Tali Blanco steps out with his own solo debut, Gettn 2 It. He largely delegates the production work, as the intro is the only track on the seven-song EP accredited to Blanco himself. Trackstarz, Demolish Beatz and DJ Pain 1 round out the cast of producers, but Tali Blanco’s time providing tracks for his cross-town brethren pays dividends in the form of a feature from Tech N9ne. And the Strange Music co-founder delivers with a potent verse that’s equally funny, lecherous and bilingual.
Tali occasionally falls flat with punchlines and subjects that border on being trite. After spending the bulk of his album’s intro admonishing generic emcees to stop playing follow the leader, “No Worries” recycles some of the same current Rap tropes (turning up, both Molly and Miley and the well worn “pull up to the club…” theme). Similarly, the aforementioned “Salute Me,” contains the following:
“See I / Be upon my grown man B.I. / And I’m so fly, these bitches think that I / Am they whole sky / I’m like no lie / I’m a Big Mac, and you’s a small fry…”
Those missteps aside, the EP’s strongest moments don’t come in the form of attempts at lyrical pyrotechnics, but rather when Tali Blanco is playing to his strengths: crafting rhymes the average 99-percenter can relate to over tailor-made production. “Gettn 2 It” belies its floss-worthy title, as it’s actually a working man’s anthem decorated by deep 808s. Tali Blanco’s ability to run through the random details of his day such as praying, lighting up some reefer in his car and making sure to wash his hands after a morning piss are the type of relatable quirks artists like Devin the Dude and Curren$y have used to build careers. In this case, the KC spitter isn’t so much selling cool as indirectly preaching the gospel of the blue-collar hustle.
For an official debut, Tali Blanco is surprisingly adept with the rhythm and pacing of his flows. “Timeless” is a clinic in double-time rhyming, powered by his expert use of a four syllable cadence over an airy backdrop. Despite the subject matter or production, Tali Blanco’s delivery remains varied and technically precise. And his time pulling double duty as a rapper/producer serves him well; he expertly balances both, keeping the production choices interesting and choosing tracks that compliment him.
Gettn 2 It is a collection of melodic, endearing Rap that by and large doesn’t take itself too seriously. Tali Blanco stays in his lane of working-class anecdotes matched with rhythmic production and delivery—which benefit him on the few occasions when he’s overly reliant on clichés. He delivers a solid debut that is uniquely Midwestern but easily appreciated by listeners from any region.
So you guys review this album and you don’t review probably the album of the year so far (A Thousand Cuts- Locksmith). Great work guys. Great work
Dope !! Finally let the music speak for itself this young cat is a threat behind the board or the mic!! Great job to At All Cost Music Group
Solid effort from Tali Blanco, “Salute Me” with Tech was dope. While this isn’t a project of the year contender, it definitely is something good to hear and better than a lot of shit out now.
DOPE!
decent
This is one of the hardest albums out right now! Blanco’s a star in the makin
Love it! Excited to see what he does next! Clever delivery and a style all his own! Brilliant. Keep shining!! xo
I predict that Tali will be one of the leaders in the industry. He has all the potential in the world and is set to rise to the top. I haven’t been this excited about an artist in a long time! This is just the tip of the iceberg # SALUTE
Fresh breath of air and this is just the beginning… Debut Album coming soon!!
My son has a very unique outlook on life that he able to convey in way that can touch you at your core. He has a way of noticing the small things in life that actually make a big difference if ignored. His ability to transform those thoughts into lyrics is a gift that, if we are lucky, we will all have a chance to experience more of.
SALUTE TO TAIL BLANCO!! NEXT BEST THING!
Star n the making
Tali’s a BEAST killin it
He is amazing! 😀
@AllCostMusicGroup
This kid ain’t playing!
I fukks wit it!
Tali I see U homie!!!
Talent
Great EP!
Salute;)
My main man….Mr.Humble I salute you my nigg… Now get back to the money!
KC stand up!
Fucking incredible. Probably some of the realist stuff I’ve heard this year. Kinda mad its only 7 songs! I would kick my grandmother out of her wheelchair for a fuuuuullllll cd…maybe signed?
Never heard of this guy until dancefestopia in KC. Definitely made it worth the trip!!! He can freakin smoke dude, and rapped the WHOLE FUCKING TIME! Even hung with us later that night. Don’t know if he’s famous but at this rate he will be. Salute from the mile high bro. Oh, and that Marley young guy where is he from? He’s freakin cool too.
didn’t wanna say it but bbwg is my least favorite though if I have to be a “critic” dude.
Yeah, I love that nigga right there!
Proud of you! Keep going uhhhhh get back to the money
Love this!! Can’t wait for him to hit it to the T O P! He deserves it!
Devin the dude good comparison but he’s now and he’s here
The bidness…..nuff said
When the fuuuuuck did you become a rapper tali??? I remember u as a producer. Good shit!!
My nigga. All imma say
I can listen timeless all day long. Somebody say pothead???
On repeat
I got beats for this nigga right here. Can tali and tray collab or nah?
Already got his shit in rotatation. Nice
They won’t let my last comment post? Grrrr
Hate this guys guts!!!!!! Love his music though.
Its ya boy bang. Hahaha you my nigga bro so imma keep it 100, I didn’t buy it but I sure burned a copy over on the east bro. That shit hard my dude. Just might buy it for my phone (u kno I don’t do them computers n shit)
Asked me if I got his album, didn’t know he had one. DownloDed it. And proceeded to rock that bitch like a newborn.
sincerely
tha bathroom scene muahahaha
He gave me a chance as a producer and I gave him a chance as a writer. Get back to the money my nig
Salute me! I keep saying that at work now. Even has my kids singin it
Sexy lips and a tech beard????? He could be jj fish and still get a 5 from my white ass. Love timeless
I’d fuc* it.
Great muthafukkin album
It’s Aiight !!!
Tali Blano is fabulous!!!!
wck mtrfcka
Yo, all of the comments below are all fuckin trolls working for this nobody or the same damn person making a different comment each time.
Never heard of you before but since I like many rappers from the Midwest i purchased the Ep . That was the best 6 dollars I ever spent !!! Tali mackin Blanco !!! Thank you
DUH THIS SHITS FIRE
dope project I can dig it